Means for making jelly rolls or the like



Sept. 28, 1948. M. CQHEN 2,450,033

umns FOR mane JELLY ROLLS on THE LIKE Fi'led March 24 1945 2Sheets-Sheet 1 n w W N Q, o J N\ u hum A a m Q 1? a. N Q aw mm Sept. 28,1948. CQHEN 2,450,033

I MEANS FOR MAKING JELLY RQLLS OR THE LI Filed March 24, 1945 2Sheets-Sheet 2 .56 55 55 as Z Patented Sept. 28, 1948 MEANS FOR MAKINGJELLY ROLLS OR THE LIKE Morris Cohen, Kansas City, Mo., assignor toInterstate Bakeries Corporation, Kansas City, Mo., a corporation ofDelaware Application March 24, 1945, Serial No. 584,545

2 Glaims. i

This invention relates to means for making jelly rolls or the likeforuse particularly in commercial bakeries, andthe present invention aimsto provide an improved and simplified machine for this D 'D N- The wellknown bakery product commonly called a jelly roll may consist of aquantity of batter which is first formed as a flat baked slab of, say,sponge cake, upon the upper surface of which is spread a coating offruit Jelly or the like, the slab being then; rolled u-p, with the jellycoated surface innermost, to form a roll, the coils of the rolladvantag'eously showingat the ends of the roll to display the jellycontent.

Among other objects, the present invention aims to provide mechanicalmeans for the production of such-jelly rolls with a minimum. of manualhandling, while at the same time insuring a more uniform disposition ofthe jelly upon the cake preliminary to rolling-up, and the production ofa more uniform coil or roll in the final product.

These and other objectsij will be more fully pointed out in thefollowing description, taken together with the accompanying drawings. ofan illustrative embodiment of the invention, and in which drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a machine constructed inaccordance with the present invention, being somewhat schematic and withparts broken away for clearness of description;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary elevational view, similar to Figure 1 butshowing analternative position of a part;

Figure 3 is a plan view of the structure of Ffgure 1; and

Figure 4 is a fragmentary plan view showing a portion, greatly enlarged.of a part of the machine.

Referring in detail to the illustrative construction shown in thedrawings, a support is provided in the form of a mobile table II!comprising side frames I l and legs l2 which may be reinforced bylongitudinal girders I3, wheels ll at the lower terminations of the legsserving asmobilizing means.

The two parallel main frameparts ll running longitudinally of the tableserve as supports for a table surface or platform l5 forfthe upper runsof a plurality of longitudinally. aligned conveyors such as, in thisinstance, the endless belt canvas conveyors IE, IT and I8. The conveyorbelts are entrained on the usual conveyor windlasses of which there maybe a pair 19, and 20 for the belt i6 carried by axles 2| and 22respectively, a pair 23 and 24 for the belt i1 carried by axles 35 and28 z respectively, anda pair 21 and 28 for the belt it? carried by axles29 and 30 respectively. The axles may be suitably journaled in the sideframes ll as indicated in the drawings.

As shown and broadly claimed in my co-pending application S. N. 525,556,of Morris Cohen, Gerald A. Jorg'enson and George Hasty, filed March 8,1944, for Coating and rolling apparatus and now Patent Number 2,402,874dated June 25, 1946, the present machine desirably includes a coating orjelly applying device here indicated generally by the numeral 38 andwhich may include a hopper 32 suitably attached as'at 33 to one of theside frames ii and offset laterally therefrom. The hopper 32 afiordsareservoir for a supply of jelly in the fluid state which travels bygravity through the pipe 36 to the pump 35, which is driven by anelectric motor 35. The pump 35 and motor 36 may be carried by thegirders I3 of the table below the conveyor belts. Rising from the pump35 is a delivery pipe 3'! on the opposite side from the reservoir 32,that is. the side near the observer in Figure 1, which is bent to clearthe side of the table and. is then turned horizontally across theconveyor belt as at 38 to bring its discharge end 39 over thelongitudinal center line of the conveyor. At the discharge end 39 issuitably secured a transverse spreader nozzle 40 which may have adischarge slot 40a elongated longitudinally of the nozzle ortransversely of the machine for emission of the jelly or other coating.

The pump 35 is adapted to force the fluid up through the delivery pipe31 and to the spreader nozzle 40 under pressure except when the pipe 3!is closed by a valve mechanism ii located in the part 38 of the pipe andcontrolled in this instance by a solenoid device 42. When the valvemechanism 4| is closed to prevent discharge of the jelly through thedischarge nozzle 40, an overflow pipe 43 is provided communicating withthe pump 35 at its lower end and having its upper end 44 bent over andturned down into the hopper 32. A relief valve mechanism d5 isassociated with the pump 35 and overflow pipe 43 which opens to permitpassage of the fluid from the pump to the overflow pipe when thepressure of the fluid in the pipe 31 by closing of the valve mechanism4| reaches a predetermined point, the latter being adjustable by a handcontrol-screw d5.

In accordance with the present invention, means are provided forpropelling the conveyor belts I6, I I and It at successively fasterspeeds and, as here shown, by an electric motor d1 3 mounted on thegirders II at the opposite end of the table from the motor 86. On theoutput shaft 48 of the motor 41 are fixed a pair of sprocket wheels 49and 50 which are of equal diameter. The sprocket wheel 48 has entrainedthereon an endless driving chain 5| which is also entrained on asprocket 52 which is fixed on the axle 28 of the conveyor belt II. Thisaxle 28 also carries another sprocket 53 which is smaller than thesprocket 52 and which has entrained thereon the driving chain 54 whichis also entrained with a sprocket 55 on the axle 22 of the conveyor belt98, the sprocket 55 being the same size as sprocket 52. The sprocket 58on the motor output shaft 68 has entrained thereon an endless chaindrive 58 which is also entrained on a sprocket 51 carried by the axle 38of the conveyor belt l8, the sprocket 51 being the same size as thesprocket 58.

Thus operation of the motor 41 will simultaneously drive all :three ofthe conveyor belts i8, H and I8, in the direction of the arrow 5141, themotor output shaft 48 being arranged to rotate in the direction of thearrow 51b. In one preferred instance, the speed of the conveyor belt 55may be twenty-four feet per minute. By providing the sprocket 49 withfifteen teeth, and the sprocket 52 with twenty teeth, and the sprocket53 with fifteen teeth, and the sprocket 55 with twenty teeth, theconveyor belt l6 will thus run slower than the motor 41 and slower thanthe belt 11. By providing the sprocket 52 with twenty teeth, theconveyor belt I I will run proportionally faster than the belt l8 butslower than the output shaft 48. By providing the sprocket 51 withfifteen teeth, he same number as sprocket 58, the belt l8 will thus runat the same speed as the output motor shaft and proportionally fasterthan the belt I1.

The conveyor belts are adapted to carry thereon, in the direction of thearrow 51a, a serie of articles to be dealt with by the machine such asthe slabs of cake 58 disposed initially in any suitable manner on themachine, at the lefthand end thereof in the flat and in contact orabutment one with the other as at 59.

It will be understood that the cake slabs are formed of cake batterwhich has been suitably prepared in the bakery and thereafter bakedbefore being brought to the present apparatus to be prepared intoso-called jelly rolls and the cake slabs are commonly say fifteen incheslong, that is transversely of the machine, about twelve inches wide,that is longitudinally of the machine, and about five-eighths of an inchthick, and each slab as presently described is here adapted to make twoJ'elly rolls.

When the slabs 58 are travelling on the belt I'B, the motor 41 being inoperation, electric wire leads being connected with the terminals 68 ofthe solenoid coil 8| and also connected into the circuit of the motor41, as will be readily understood and need not be here furtherdescribed, the solenoid coil is energized and the usual armature 82 ofthe solenoid device 42 is raised to open the valve of the valvemechanism 4|. Thus as the cake slabs 58 travel on the belt l8 under thetransverse spreader nozzle 48, the jelly is discharged therethrough in acontinuous film or sheet which is disposed by gravity onto the cakeslabs thereunder.

Since, in accordance with the present invention, the cake slabs are inabutment, the jelly may be discharged continuously during operation ofthe machine. If, however, the motor 41 is shut down,

the solenoid coil 8| will be de-energized thus re leasing the armature82 and allowing the valve of the valve mechanism to close under pressureof the fluid in the pipe 81, and so discontinuing discharge of the jellythrough the nozzle 48.

With the machine in operation as described, the cake slabs, after beingcoated with jelly, pass from the conveyor belt l8 to the conveyor belt Hwhere their speed is increased so as to begin to space the cake slabsapart, and they are further spaced apart as they pass onto the lastconveyor belt I8. They are now spaced apart so as to be individuallydealt with by the rolling-up means indicated generally by the numeral 68which in this instance is shown in 'the form of a section of flexiblechain belt 88a having one end suspended from a rod 84 which is rotatablymounted at its ends as at 85 in a pair of posts 86 upstanding from thetable frames H respectively.

The chain belt section 8311 extends from the post in the direction ofmovement of the conveyor belt and tends to drag thereon as at 81 i Fig.2), thus functioning somewhat as a loosely hung flexible apron. Afragmentary enlarged plan view of a portion of the chain apron 53aillustrating one illustrative formation thereof is shown in Figure 4,and in which the metal ribbons 68 are sinuously formed to be looselyinterengaged by similar ribbons 68 flexibly joining the ribbons 88 andbent lockingly thereabout providinga device which is extremely flexiblelongitudinally of the machine but rigid transversely thereof, and whichat the same time has sufficient weight to accomplish the purpose nextdescribed.

As shown in Figure 2, one of the cake slabs 58 which is here given theadditional designating numeral 58a is show as moving on the belt l8 justat the point where its forward edge contacts the chain apron 6-3 andthis forward edge is shown turned up as at 10. As the slab 58a continuesto move forwardly carried by the belt under the apron 83a the draggingfunction of the latter on the cake slab continues to roll this up ashown at 58b (Fig. 1) at which stage the jelly roll is almost completelyrolled up.

As the jelly roll 58b continues still further under the apron 63a, itpasse freely under the free edge of the apron and by this time iscompletely rolled up, and then it becomes desirable to prevent it fromuncoiling. For this latter purpose, the expedients next described areadvantageously provided.

Suspended over the belt l8 beyond the rollingup means 63 is a settingdevice for the jelly rolls generally indicated by the numeral II andhere shown in the form of a pressure plate 12 spanning the conveyor l8and adjustably supported thereover as by a link mechanism comprising apair of links 13 pivoted as at 14 on the side frames II respectively andarticulated as at 15 with the pressure plate I2, another pair of linksI6 similarly pivoted as at 11 on the frame intersecting the links 13respectively at 18. A sub-link 19 is articulated as at 88 with each link16 and as at 8| with the pressure plate. The connection 18 is bothpivotally and slidably adjustable to permit raising or lowering of thepressure plate and the adjustment may be fixed by a hand screw 82. Theedges of the pressure plate facing the ends of the machine are desirablyupturned as at 83 and 84 to permit ready ingress and egress of the jellyrolls with respect thereto.

As the jelly roll, which may now have the designating numeral 580,passes under the influence of the pressure plate 12, the jelly roll isdesirably rotated on its own axis as well as moved forward bodily byreason of the fact that the pressure plate is stationary while the jellyroll is moving thereunder and in contact therewith on the belt I8. Thisrotation, .which is fairly gentle, is

sufficient to set the jelly roll, that is, to give it surface of thepressure plate 12. In the'vicinity of the circular blade 88 and betweenthe bearings for the blade spindle, the pressure plate is slotted as at9| to permit the blade to turn therein and have its lower portion dependbelow the pressure plate centrally thereof into the path of the jellyrolls as at 92, and thereby severing each roll 580 into two similarcylinders or rolls 58d of one-half the length of the original roll.

Rotation of the jelly roll as previously described assists in causingthe knife 85 to make a clean quick out, without the knife touching theconveyor belt.

These two jelly rolls 58d then pass out from under the influence of thepressure plate, carried by the conveyor belt to the end thereof as at58c and are ready for the wrapping machine. As is well known, the coilsor turns of the jelly roll are desirably visible, showing the jelly atthe ends of the roll, to enhance its appetizing character.

The invention is of course not intended to be limited to details ofstructure shown for purposes of exemplification. Furthermore, it is notto be understood that all features of the invention must be usedconjointly,'since various combinations or sub-combinations may at timesbe ad-- vantageously employed, embodying the invention in one or more ofits aspects. Such changes or adaptations may be made as fall within thescope of the appended claims without departing from the invention.

Having described my invention, what is here claimed is: Y

1. In a jelly roll machine the combination of, an endless belt conveyorto receive a series of cake slabs in abutting edge to edge relation,jelly depositing means suspended over said conveyor including mechanismfor effecting discharge of jelly onto the slabs continuously while theconveyor is in motion and the slabs are in abutting relation, anotherconveyor in end to end adjacent relation with the first mentionedconveyor to receive the slabs successively from the first mentionedconveyor after the jelly is deposited thereon, means for causing thesecond mentioned con-v veyor to space the slabs apart, and a flexibleapron after the latter are spaced apart by the said second mentionedconveyor, the other end of said apron being free and dragging on theconveyor and the transverse edges of the slabs being spaced apart bysaid second mentioned conveyor a sufficient distance to permit the freeend of the flexible apron to fall between said-transverse edgessuccessively, whereby the leading transverse edge of each slab is.picked up by the apron and under the influence of movement of theconveyor the slab is rolled up with the jelly between the convolutionsof the roll.

2. Ina cake roll machine the combination of, a conveyor to receive aseries of cake slabs in abutting edge to edge relation, coatingdepositing means suspended over said conveyor including mechanism forefiecting discharge of coating onto the slabs while the conveyor is inmotion and the slabs are in abutting relation, another conveyor in endto end adjacent relation with the first mentioned conveyor to receivethe slabs successively from the first mentioned conveyor after thecoating is deposited thereon, means for causing the second mentionedconveyor to move faster than the said first mentioned conveyor to spacethe slabs apart, and roll-up means carried on the machine at a place andarranged to be engaged by the slabs after the-latter are spaced apart bythe said second mentioned conveyor, the roll-up means including agravity actuated element and the transverse edges of the slabs beingspaced apart by said second mentioned conveyor a sufificient distance topermit the gravity actuated element to fall between said transverseedges successively, whereby the leading transverse edge of each slab ispicked up by the rollup means and under the influence of movement of theconveyor the slab is rolled up with the having one end suspended overthe machine at coating between the convolutlons of the roll.

MORRIS COHEN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number

